JAKARTA - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government is trying to bridge a deal with the United States to supply oil to Cuba, amid Washington's tightening blockade of the island nation.
Two Mexican Navy ships carrying more than 800 tons of food arrived in Cuba as Sheinbaum continued efforts to channel oil without incurring tariffs.
The Mexican military sent 814 tons of aid in the form of milk, meat products, rice, nuts, and personal hygiene supplies.
According to Sheinbaum, the second shipment carrying 1.5 tons of powdered milk and nuts is waiting to depart.
"Today the ships arrived. After returning, we will send another support in a different form," Sheinbaum said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, February 13.
US President Donald Trump tightened pressure on the Cuban economy by restricting oil supplies from allied countries.
International flights are down, the Cuban currency is weakening, and power outages are widespread. These conditions deepen the crisis amid increasing economic pressure.
Mexico became Cuba's main supplier of crude oil after shipments from Venezuela were halted in December due to a US blockade.
However, the shipment of Mexican oil was halted after the Trump administration issued a decree imposing tariffs on countries that supply or sell oil to Cuba.
Sheinbaum has stepped up diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement so that oil shipments can resume.
He offered Mexico as a conduit for dialogue between Cuba and the US, stressing that sanctions hurt the people more than the Cuban government.
"It depends on both countries. We have conveyed, both to the US State Department and through the US Embassy in Mexico, that Mexico is making every effort to encourage a dialogue that, while respecting Cuban sovereignty, creates conditions for a peaceful settlement and allows Cuba to receive oil and its derivatives for daily needs without sanctions from any country," he said.
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